US Expected to Waste 267 Million Meals This Thanksgiving
About 320 million pounds of food are forecasted to be wasted this Thanksgiving, an increase from 316 million pounds in 2024, according to ReFED, a food systems think tank. This wasted food represents approximately $550 million in retail value.
Impact on Food Security and Economy
The lost food equates to around 267 million meals that could have helped people in need. These figures appear amid ongoing food insecurity and inflation pressures in the US, indicating continuous challenges for both consumers and producers.
Food prices have risen about 18.2% as of September 2025 compared to January 2022. Additionally, uncertainty regarding SNAP (food stamps) benefits threatens to worsen the situation. Federal judges mandated the Trump administration to continue SNAP payments using emergency funds, but the government shutdown may delay payments to millions.
Food Waste and Consumer Behavior
ReFED’s study focuses on food waste at the consumer level, highlighting inefficiencies along the entire supply chain—from overproduction to consumption habits. This waste has both environmental and economic consequences.
- 40% of holiday food waste comes from turkey
- 12% of hosts admit they do not manage leftovers
- 50% of people show little concern about wasting food
- 45% plan to send guests home with leftovers
"Consumer habits are the dominant driver [of food waste]."
These findings emphasize the pressing need to address food waste even as prices rise and many Americans face food scarcity.
Summary: Nearly 320 million pounds of food, worth $550 million, will go to waste this Thanksgiving, highlighting ongoing food insecurity and inefficiencies in the US food system.